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From Mother’s Day to Memorial Day, May is a busy month for retailers and shoppers alike. In addition to being the unofficial start of the summer, it also marks the start of spending more time outdoors, and that can lead to additional spending. But, before you purchase a new grill or try on summer apparel, you’ll want to read DealNews’ latest monthly buying guide, which reveals the best (and worst) products you can buy this month.

CouponLawn.com is a deal based site that offers coupons and money saving resources. They have just released the largest publicly accessible list of companies that offer discounts exclusively to active military members, veterans and their families. Unlike other hard to navigate smaller lists available online, users can sort their list according to the company name, discount amount and category with an added search function that lets users find exactly what they are looking for. This master guide can be found on their site at http://couponlawn.com/special/400-discounts-for-military-veterans/.

Here’s another awesome resource from Gift Card Granny. She has compiled an exhaustive list of 133 military discounts – just in time for summer fun. It’s a little way of saying thanks to those who serve. Included are ways to save for veterans, all active branches and, in some instances, the families who stand behind them. Participation may vary at different locations, so check first!

Seasonality doesn’t just affect the weather; prices across a wide range of products can change on a month-to-month basis as demand fluctuates. Considering millions of consumers will shop for Mother’s Day gifts this week, being aware of these best and worst buys can help you make smarter purchasing decisions that delight Mom and keep your budget intact. Take a look at these worst buys and consider gifting a best buy for Mom.

WORSTSadly, many go-to gifts for Mom represent the worst buys of the season! Avoid these cliche gifts in favor of better buys.

Flowers – Mother’s Day is the third busiest day for florists behind Valentine’s Day and Christmas, and over 66 percent of consumers plan to buy a bouquet for Mom this year. However, you’ll pay more for flowers now than you will just a couple weeks from now, making them a bad buy. Labor, supply and demand are all factors contributing to this price increase, as florists have to fulfill a high volume of orders in a very short time frame. If you have your mind set on flowers, opt for a flowering plant or head to the grocery store for cheaper prices.

Jewelry – Something sparkly may seem like just the thing for Mom, but it’s definitely not the right choice for your wallet. According to some sources, select jewelry items actually cost more around Mother’s Day despite being advertised as a sale price. That’s because demand is high: an estimated $3.6 billion will be spent on jewelry for Mom, and retailers want to compete for your business without cutting into their profit margins.

Perfume – Like Valentine’s Day and Christmas, Mother’s Day is another popular occasion for fragrances. Though you’ll likely score free samples or a free tote with your purchase, you won’t find any good deals on fragrances until after Mother’s Day. Of course, you may never buy designer perfume again after you read this exposé from DailyFinance. Those who receive a specific request for fragrance should check discount retailers like TJMaxx and Marshall’s for up to 50-percent off designer and name-brand scents.

BESTIt is possible for Mom to enjoy gifts that don’t sparkle or smell sweet! According to the same NRF survey, practicality is highly valued by both consumers and their mothers this year. Enjoy these gift ideas that both your mom and your bank account will love.

Gift Cards – There’s nothing more practical than giving Mom the gift of choice, and the stats agree: over 43 percent of consumers will buy gift cards for their mothers this year. Avoid paying full price by ordering cards from GiftCardGranny.com, where you can save up to 25-percent off face value. For example, you can score an Ann Taylor gift card for 25-percent off, or gift Mom with a SpaFinder gift card for 21-percent off.

Experiences – Your mom likely has everything she needs and wants, so gifting her with yet another coffee mug or ceramic tchotchke just creates clutter. Consider the gift of an experience — a popular choice this year, as consumers are expected to spend $1.5 billion — by purchasing a daily deal through Groupon, LivingSocial or Amazon Local. You can treat your mom to a spa day, wine tasting or horseback riding adventure for over 50-percent off. You can even schedule her a free makeover at Sephora, where experts provide complimentary makeup and skin consultations, plus provide deluxe samples.

Dinner – Consumer spending on dining out for Mom is expected to reach $3.8 billion this year. Before you empty your wallet on a pricey feast, show Mom how money-savvy you are by using restaurant coupons from apps like Coupon Sherpa to save on dinner. For example, you can shave $10 off any two entrees from Buca di Beppo, or score a free appetizer from Carrabba’s with entree purchase. You can also check Restaurant.com for discounted dining certificates for eateries in your area.

Andrea Woroch is a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. She has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.

The other day my daughter was looking for a snack and asked “is there any chocolate in this house?” I smiled and replied “you are so my daughter.” I’ve been a chocolate lover for as long as I could remember. And now both of my girls are fans of the rich, sweet treat as well.

Yes, chocolate is full of calories and sugar. But, some chocolate, when eaten in moderation, can also deliver big health benefits.

Chocolate Supports Weight Loss. Studies have found that dark chocolate promotes satiety, so you feel fuller longer. In addition, it reduces cravings for sweet, salty and fatty foods. Eating chocolate can also enhance weight loss by about 10 percent, according to new research just published in the International Archives of Medicine.

For the study researchers divided volunteers into three groups. One group followed a strict low-carbohydrate diet. A second group followed the low-carbohydrate diet and also consumed 42 grams (about 1.5 ounces) of 81 percent dark chocolate per day. The remainder of the volunteers followed their regular diets.

The results showed that while both the low-carb and low-carb with chocolate groups lost weight, those in the chocolate group lost 10 percent more weight. Even better, the weight loss was maintained in the 3 weeks following the study, whereas the low-carb group saw the weight return.

Chocolate Lowers Risk of Stroke: Studies have found the consumption of chocolate is associated with a lower risk of stroke. In one study, over 37,000 Swedish men were tracked for over 10 years. It was discovered that the men in the study who ate the largest amount of chocolate, the equivalent of about one-third of a cup of chocolate chips per week, had a lower risk of stroke compared to those who did not consume any chocolate.

Chocolate Promotes Heart Health. Dark chocolate is rich in phenols and flavonoids, which help maintain normal blood pressure levels, keep your arteries healthy, and reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol levels. One study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that eating about 30 calories of dark chocolate a day helped to lower blood pressure after 18 weeks, without weight gain or other adverse effects.

It’s important to note that these health benefits where found with dark chocolate consumption. Milk chocolate does not offer the same protection. Look for dark chocolate containing at least 70% cacao content. The higher the percentage of cacao, the higher amount of antioxidants per serving.

And, when it comes to chocolate, a little goes a long way. In these studies only a small amount was consumed. Chocolate is loaded with sugar, fat, and calories. So, moderation is key. Aim for a quarter to a third of a cup each week.

Also remember that the sweet treat has caffeine. And, the darker the chocolate, the more caffeine it holds. And, it contains another stimulant called theobromine which can cause sleeplessness. So, if you’re going to indulge, be sure you’ve got several hours until bedtime. Otherwise, you might find yourself unable to fall asleep.

Sources:

University of Copenhagen. “Dark Chocolate Is More Filling Than Milk Chocolate And Lessens Cravings.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 December 2008.

This article is written by Lauren Kent the writer for Nutri-Health.com, an online High Quality Health Supplements and Health Store. Assisting people and helping them find quality natural supplements and health products online is what Lauren has been doing for several years. Nutri-Health.com carries Digestive Supplements to Probiotics to Joint Health products.

Healthy grocery store committed to inspiring customers to eat healthier and live a better life

This April, Sprouts Farmers Market is helping consumers celebrate Earth Month with sales on organic products, herbal supplements and earth-friendly cleaning products to inspire consumers to eat healthier and live better lives. April is also Autism Awareness Month, and Sprouts invites customers to round up their purchases for one week with all donations going to Autism Speaks to support local communities. A long-time supporter of autism charities, Sprouts has raised over $5 million dollars in the past five years.

Let Sprouts make your April earth-friendly and green.

Earth Month is a perfect time for consumers seeking a healthy lifestyle to shop for food and household products that are free of toxic pesticides and chemicals. Organic foods are grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that can deplete the soil of valuable nutrients and increase environmental degradation. A recent study found that organic agriculture had lower pesticides and higher levels of antioxidants than conventional agriculture.

“Parents know that providing foods that are grown without chemicals and using cleaning products that are toxin free helps to provide a healthy diet and safe home for their families,” said Janet Little, Sprouts’ nutritionist. “This April, Sprouts offers customers easy ways to go green, eat better and save money with incredible savings on products from organic foods made without GMOs to non-toxic cleaning products.”

Organic Sale – April 15 – 22: Stock up and dig into amazing savings on hundreds of organic items on sale throughout the store. From organic meat, dairy, produce, coffee, vitamins, body care and earth-friendly cleaning products – Sprouts offers great variety and great prices.

Clean Sweeps – April 1 – 22: Customers can win a high-efficiency washer, dryer and a $1,000 Lowe’s gift card. Additionally, 10 runners-up will receive a laundry basket filled to the brim with cleaning products from Seventh Generation to promote a non-toxic lifestyle. Enter to win in-store or at sprouts.com/cleansweeps.

Botanical Bliss – April 1 – 30: For the entire month of April, Sprouts will offer an interactive educational experience in the vitamin department designed to help consumers better understand herbs and their functionality. What better way to thank Mother Nature than to find your botanical bliss!

April is Autism Awareness Month.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 68 births in the United States – nearly twice as great as the 2004 rate of 1 in 125 – and almost 1 in 54 boys. In honor of Autism awareness month, Sprouts is providing an easy way for consumers to help support Autism Speaks.

Round Up – April 22 – April 29: Customers can simply ask to have their purchases rounded up to the nearest dollar or make a $1, $5 or $10 donation in support of Autism Awareness Month. Customers can also donated online sprouts.com/autism-awareness. One-hundred percent of the funds raised are donated to local organizations that provide services to the Autism community through a grant program with Autism Speaks.

Sprouts Farmers Market is a healthy grocery store offering fresh, natural and organic foods at great prices. We offer a complete shopping experience that includes fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, natural body care and household items catering to consumers’ growing interest in health and wellness. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Sprouts employs more than 18,000 team members and operates close to 200 stores in 12 states. For more information, visit www.sprouts.com or @sproutsfm on Twitter.

DealNews is a deal-discovery website that lists the best online deals on consumer electronics, gadgets, computers, clothing, and more. DealNews’ mission is to inform consumers of the best online bargains offered by trustworthy stores. The Company relies on a team of expert editors and proprietary research tools to uncover 200+ of the web’s hottest deals, discounts, sales, and bargains every day. Founded in 1997, DealNews is headquartered in Huntsville, AL, with offices in Brooklyn, NY, and Dublin, Ireland.

A new study from GOBankingRates reveals the best rewards and cash-back checking promotions at banks and credit unions this spring.

With millions of Americans opening new checking accounts each year1, many banks offer free cash and other perks to entice new customers. To cut through the noise and help consumers find the best deals, leading personal finance site GOBankingRates investigated major banks and credit unions nationwide to uncover the top checking account promotions this spring, ranging from a $300 bonus to free airline miles.

“Promotions like these are a nice incentive if you’re shopping around for a new checking account, but you shouldn’t make your banking decision based wholly on a one-time deal,” said Casey Bond, managing editor of GOBankingRates. “If you’re comparing checking products, look at fees and interest rates first; after all, a $150 promo could be easily wiped out by several overdrafts if you open an account with an unfriendly fee structure. After you’ve weighed important account details, these promotions can sweeten the deal and boost your savings.”

The 12 Best Checking Account Promotions Today

Bank of America:$200

Bank of America2: $300

BankDirect: American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

BankUnited: $120

BBVA Compass Bank:$150

Chase Bank: $150

Discover Bank: $50

Langley Federal Credit Union:$50

Nationwide Bank:$200

PNC Bank: $300

Santander Bank: $240

SunTrust Bank: $200

Additional insights:

Cash: The top cash checking promotions varied in value from $50 to $300.

Recurring Bonus: Not all cash-back promos are one-time deals; Santander Bank pays new extra 20 account holders up to $20 a month for meeting certain requirements.

Miles: BankDirect is the first online bank to offer customers the chance to earn American Airlines miles through banking products, including checking, money market and CD accounts.

How to Apply: Qualifying criteria varied, with most banks on this list enforcing either direct deposit requirements or daily balance minimums.

About GOBankingRates

GOBankingRates.com is a leading portal for personal finance news and features, offering visitors the latest information on everything from interest rates to strategies on saving money, managing a budget and getting out of debt. Its editors are regularly featured on top-tier media outlets, including U.S. News, Business Insider, Daily Finance, Huffington Post and more. It also specializes in connecting consumers with the best financial institutions and interest rates nationwide.

1 The Financial Brand: “Six Ways to Win the War for New Checking Accounts,” Feb. 25, 2015

2 Bank of America is currently offering two separate checking promotions, with different qualifying criteria for each. Additionally, while the $200 promotion lasts throughout 2015, the $300 offer expires in April. As with any of these offers, always check with the respective institution’s website for full details.

Total student debt has topped $1 trillion this year and the average college graduate owes more than $33,000 in outstanding payments upon commencement. So, it’s understandable why young adults are filled with more fear than joy about earning their diploma and entering the real world. While finding a good job is paramount, learning how to budget and discovering ways to save on everyday expenses offers the best chance to surviving life after college.

If you or a recent grad in your life faces this same scenario, consider these top money moves for making the switch from college to real life manageable.

Optimize your repayments. Get a handle on what you owe by reviewing all your accounts. If you find you’re struggling or falling behind, get help before it’s too late. Making late student loan payments (or missing them altogether) will negatively impact your credit score which can take years to rebuild. For help, check the Student Debt Repayment Assistant from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. You can often negotiate a repayment schedule that fits your budget or even get your loan payments deferred.

Lower your rental costs. You may be eager to live on your own, but roommates offer a significant financial relief for rental costs. The more roommates you have, the cheaper your total living expenses will be. Keep in mind that location matters, too. The closer you live to the city center, the more expensive rent will be, so look for a place located further from the hot spot of town. To avoid broker fees, use sites like Craigslist and Apartable.com for no-fee listings.

Join a credit union. Credit unions offer the same services as regional and national banks but typically have less fees and lower loan rates. Credit unions also typically pay higher savings yields and are more sympathetic toward struggling borrowers. To find a credit union that suits your needs, review this list.

Search for coupons before you pay for anything. Whether you need new shoes, food for your pooch or an oil change, search for coupons before pay. Free mobile tools like the Coupon Sherpa mobile app make this task easy, offering savings for our half a million physical locations in the U.S. You can also use your phone to compare prices with the Pricegrabber barcode-scanning app or earn rewards while you shop with Shopkick.

Get savvy in the kitchen. Eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner will seriously drain your paycheck and leave you with just enough to cover basic living expenses. Get in the habit of preparing lunch and cooking meals for yourself. Cook one large meal like this Roast Chicken to give yourself plenty of options throughout the week, including chicken salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes.

Live without cable and prepay your cellphone. Cutting the cord on pricey cable bills is easier to do these days thanks to free online video streaming services like Hulu that hook right up to your TV. For more programming and newer release options, check out Hulu Plus and Netflix for just $8 per month — a cheap bill when split among roommates. You can also hook up an indoor HDTV antenna to get more channels than basic cable with no monthly bills. When it comes to your cellphone, consider switching to no-contract, prepaid wireless services to avoid hidden fees and punitive charges. This way, you pay for what you use and nothing more.

Become a second-hand shopper. A wise man once told me that no one will know the shirt you’re wearing was bought at the Salvation Army. This is a great principal to live by considering buying used can reduce your total spending by up to 90 percent. Whether you need professional clothes, kitchen goods or furniture for your new apartment, search gently-used options at garage sales, local consignment stores, speciality sites like RecycleYourFashions.com and thredUp.com or more mainstream sites like eBay. Don’t forget, this is a great time to sell clothing and other goods you no longer use for funds towards a future purchase.

Get a side hustle. At this point, maximizing your cash flow will help you pay down debt faster. Take on an extra gig after hours like waitressing, bartending or freelancing. Or consider doing other people’s “to-dos” via TaskRabbit, where you can peruse tasks in your area and submit offers for such activities as grocery shopping, dog walking and even photography. If TaskRabbit is not available in your area, check the “gigs” section on Craigslist for options ranging from labor to writing to creative.

Build your credit wisely. Opening a new line of credit may seem counterintuitive while paying down school debt, but building a healthy credit score now will ensure you receive the best rates on future mortgages, insurance and other expenses. To help manage your credit card wisely, treat it like a debit card and only charge transactions for which you have the cash to cover. Pay off the balance in full each month so interest doesn’t overwhelm any rewards. For help finding the right credit card with low APR, consult Nerd Wallet’s list of the best credit cards for 2015.

Save for the future. It’s tough to think about retirement when you have student-related debts to pay. However, if your employer offers a 401k match plan, turning it down is like leaving money on the table. Even if you can only match the percentage they’re contributing, you’re doing your future self a financial solid. Most experts agree that young people have a distinct advantage over everyone else when it comes to saving for the future: time. Don’t waste yours!

Andrea Woroch is a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc., who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. She has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.

A Big Thank You to Jennifer Moss of BabyNames.com and author of Town Red, for providing this great list of activities that are free or low cost, build creativity and skills for kids, and are bonding experiences between parent and child. She did forget to mention how much fun it is to look up names on her site and find things like character tips for writers, what are cool names now and in the past, and games for baby showers.

1. Your local library – get your child his/her own library card, it makes them feel very important and introduces them to the awesome library system. Make it a weekly trip and allow them to pick out 3 books at a time. Some municipal libraries even have bookmobiles that may be in your neighborhood! The library is also an inexpensive place to rent videos. At the Los Angeles Public Library they are usually free!

2. Your local recreation center. Many rec centers (like Westwood on Sepulveda) allow you to swim for a couple dollars per person. Hours of enjoyment for little money! Rec centers also have affordable summer programs for kids, since they are sponsored by the city.

3. After school day care: LAUSD public schools have a free after school program called “YS” (Youth Services). Take advantage of this if you can’t pick up your child and don’t want to pay a babysitter! YS coordinators are usually teachers from the school and they do outdoor activities with the kids they know.

4. Make your own restaurant! For dinner one night, make it fancy without going out! Type up a little “menu” and play restaurant with your kids. Decorate your table with candles and let them make a centerpiece. Take turns being the “waiter!” Variation:While eating dinner, let your kid pretend they’re you and you pretend to be them. It is very revealing what they say, how they act and how you’re seen from their eyes! You can also use this opportunity to point out some of their bad habits (like whining or chewing with their mouth open).

5. Have “pioneer night” where no electricity is used. This is harder for the adults than the kids! Can you go one whole night without power? No internet, no tv, no videos! Be creative and spend a whole evening with your kids in the dark! Stock up on candles and flashlights before you do this. It saves on the electric bill AND prepares your kids for emergencies!

6. Don’t have bikes? Rent them! Many of the L.A. beaches have bike rentals. If you don’t have bikes of your own, take the kids down to the beach for the day and rent bikes. For less than $10 you can have a great active day that they’ll love.

7. Bowling! Remember bowling? There are still lanes out there and you don’t even have to keep score anymore! Bowling alleys have many “off” times that are only a couple dollars a game. Check out your local bowling alley and ask for the bumpers for the kids!(Bumpers guaranteed to improve your game too!)

8. Baking. Bake with your kids. It’s fun for them to be part of the creative process and only costs a couple dollars for cake mix and frosting (or cookie dough).

9. Walks, parks and playdates. Take advantage of walking in your neighborhood and local parks. Walk slowly and point out flowers and interesting landmarks to your child. If they are younger, practice colors and counting (“what color is that flower?”, “How many red cars can you count during our walk?”). Barter play dates with your kids and their friends. Play dates are a great way for parents to get “alone time” without paying for sitters. Take the kids and their friends to the local park! Better than video games and they won’t get bored as easily! Take a picnic lunch or snacks so they have some downtime between running and jumping! Bad weather? Take them to the mall — most malls have child play-places for free.

10. Share your picture/video camera with your kids. Most kids pick up on electronics quickly, so show them how to use the video camera and tell them to make a TV show all by themselves–with commercials!! It keeps them busy for hours and the result is usually hilarious!

If you don’t have kids, many of these activities are fun for adults too!

NCPW.gov – in Spanish at protecciondelconsumidor.gov – has free resources from NCPW partners on topics from managing credit and debt, to avoiding identity theft, to staying safe online and more. These resources help people learn about their consumer rights and how to spot and avoid scams and identity theft. If you spot a scam, the site tells you where to file complaints with federal, state and other partners.